Registering an address, filling in forms, seals, insurance and the residence card.
This page explains vocabulary and is not advice on any procedure. Anyone who moves house in Japan, including foreign residents, reports the new address at the local 区役所 or 市役所, and the words below are the ones on the forms and the signs. Two habits differ from English-speaking countries: a personal seal, はんこ, often does the work of a signature, and a date on a form, 生年月日 included, may be asked for by the Japanese era name rather than the Western year.
The words
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Verb (2)
届けるto report; to deliverVerbN4
財布を拾ったので、交番に届けました。I found a wallet, so I handed it in at the police box.
申し込むto apply for; to sign upVerbN4
区役所の日本語教室に申し込みました。I signed up for the ward office's Japanese class.
Noun (38)
区役所ward officeNounN4
引っ越したら、区役所に行かなければなりません。When you move house, you have to go to the ward office.
In the big cities a ward, 区, has its own office.
市役所city hall; town hallNounN4
市役所は九時から開いています。The city hall is open from nine.
役所public office; the authoritiesNounN4
役所の手続きは時間がかかります。Procedures at public offices take time.
手続きprocedure; formalitiesNounN4
結婚の手続きをしに来ました。I have come to do the paperwork for getting married.
届け出notification; registrationNounN3
住所が変わったら、十四日以内に届け出をしてください。If your address changes, please notify the office within fourteen days.
The form itself is a 届け; in compounds it is usually written without け: 転出届.
申込書application formNounN4
この申込書に書いて、出してください。Please fill in this application form and hand it in.
申請application (official)NounN3
ビザの申請には写真が要ります。You need a photo to apply for a visa.
Also a verb: 申請する. More official than 申し込む.
用紙form; sheet of paperNounN4
あちらの用紙に名前と住所を書いてください。Please write your name and address on the form over there.
記入filling in (a form)NounN4
黒いペンで記入してください。Please fill it in with a black pen.
Also a verb: 記入する.
住所addressNounN4
新しい住所を教えてください。Please tell me your new address.
氏名full nameNounN4
氏名の欄には、パスポートと同じ名前を書いてください。In the name field, please write your name as it is in your passport.
The word on forms; in speech, 名前.
生年月日date of birthNounN4
ここに生年月日を書いてください。Please write your date of birth here.
国籍nationalityNounN4
国籍はイギリスです。My nationality is British.
性別sex; genderNounN4
用紙に名前と性別を書きました。I wrote my name and sex on the form.
署名signatureNounN3
最後に、ここに署名をお願いします。Lastly, please sign here.
The word on forms; in speech, サイン.
印鑑personal sealNounN4
銀行で口座を作るとき、印鑑が要りました。I needed my seal when I opened a bank account.
The formal word; in everyday speech, はんこ.
はんこseal; stampNounN4
ここにはんこを押してください。Please put your seal here.
A seal is pressed, 押す, not signed.
証明書certificateNounN4
会社に出す証明書をもらいに来ました。I have come for a certificate to hand in at work.
身分証明書proof of identity; IDNounN4
身分証明書を見せていただけますか。May I see some identification?
住民票certificate of residenceNounN3
住民票を一枚お願いします。One certificate of residence, please.
The record of who lives at an address, and the copy issued from it.
在留カードresidence card (for foreign residents)NounN4
在留カードはいつも持っていなければなりません。You must carry your residence card with you at all times.
世帯householdNounN3
一人で住んでいるので、私が世帯主です。I live alone, so I am the head of the household.
On forms, 世帯主 is the head of the household.
健康保険health insuranceNounN4
日本に住む人は、健康保険に入ります。People who live in Japan join a health insurance scheme.
戸籍family registerNounN3
結婚すると、新しい戸籍が作られます。When a couple marries, a new family register is created.
The official record of a Japanese family; foreign residents are recorded on the 住民票 instead.
年金pensionNounN4
年金の手続きは、あちらの窓口です。Pension matters are dealt with at the counter over there.
番号札numbered ticket (for queuing)NounN4
番号札を取って、呼ばれるまで待ってください。Please take a number and wait until you are called.
順番turn; orderNounN4
順番にお呼びしますので、お待ちください。We will call you in turn, so please wait.
本人the person themselvesNounN4
この書類は本人が来なければもらえません。You can only get this document if you come in person.
代理proxy; on behalf ofNounN3
今日は妻の代理で来ました。I have come on behalf of my wife today.
職員staff member (of an office)NounN4
分からないことは職員に聞いてください。Please ask a member of staff if anything is unclear.
係person in chargeNounN4
係の人を呼んできます。I will go and get the person in charge.
Also a suffix: 受付係, the receptionist.
転入moving in (registering a new address)NounN3
東京から来たので、転入の手続きをします。I have come from Tokyo, so I am registering as a new resident.
Also a verb: 転入する.
転出moving out (deregistering an address)NounN3
引っ越す前に、転出の届けを出しました。Before moving, I reported that I was leaving the area.
Also a verb: 転出する.
登録registrationNounN3
住所の登録が終わりました。My address has been registered.
Also a verb: 登録する.
変更change; alterationNounN3
名前の変更はこちらでできます。You can change your name here.
Also a verb: 変更する. The formal word; in speech, 変える.
期限time limit; deadlineNounN3
在留カードの期限が近づいています。The expiry date on my residence card is getting close.
更新renewalNounN3
三年ごとにビザを更新しなければなりません。I have to renew my visa every three years.
Also a verb: 更新する.
提出handing in; submissionNounN4
書類は今月中に提出してください。Please hand in the documents by the end of this month.
